Taking the extra step to write an outline before you begin writing your research paper will save you more time in the long run.

Now that you’ve chosen a topic and collected notes, it’s time to begin writing a research paper. In this article we’ll cover how to write an outline, create a rough draft of your paper and how to add citations. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in.

How to write an outline

When taking notes, many experts suggest that you write them on individual index cards. Then, you can place the cards on a table and rearrange them to create the flow for your paper. This flow will become your outline. Read more →

Beginning and concluding a research paper often seem like the hardest part of the whole process. While slogging through all the research should be more difficult, giving your audience a sense of your topic and your goal in the paper can often be more challenging. It’s clichéd, but true—you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s what your research paper introduction is—a first impression. It is also the hook that will keep your reader interested in what you have to say in the remainder of your work. Make the most of your opening with these writing tips for a research paper introduction. Read more →